[Closed] Ben Nevis

Summer.

If you have to ask then I'd suggest you're not prepared for what winter and spring can throw at you. (Snowing in summer isn't unknown)

Depends on what you mean by spring. March and April are usually still winter on the Ben. May is often a good month. Depending on the winter we get there might still be large snow patches but they are usually avoidable or safe to cross on the tourist path at least.

The Ben itself is a long, stony plod.
The weather it attracts at this time of year, with a depth of white stuff at present, is another matter.
As others have said, the way you posed the question suggests a lack of awareness or skills. This may be wrong.

I presume you have been up a few winter hills..?

Thanks Spin, that's the kind of info I was after.

@scotroutes - I'm fully aware that Summer is the best bet for decent weather but I'd like to avoid the crowds - hence why I was asking if Spring and/or Autumn might give the best compromise and was after some local knowledge. I do lots of walking and will be fully prepared.

I'd vote for June, probably the best chance of good weather (but no guarantee - I've had snow on the 21st, though to be fair it was only a little).

I've never been up Ben Nevis but Carn mor Dearg for views can't be beat, it's still a tough walk from the North car park and boggy at bits, You need to be up early if your up for walking around the ridge and up the Ben we were meant to be doing it in August perfect blue skies but not enough water or food maybe time, just know your limits it can be a scary place if you get it wrong

Thanks for the info all, May/June looks a good time then, will look at other routes too.

I've done plenty of walking in the Yorkshire Dales/Moors inc. the 3 peaks (Yorkshire variety) so looking forward to getting further afield.

Midsummer sunrise, wee sleep on top, then be descending when everyone else is going up. Cooler.

It's been discussed on here before but there are better ways to do the Ben than the tourist path and other hills in the area that might be nicer in some regards.

How are you with mild scrambling? A more interesting way might be to approach via Carn Mor Dearg then along the CMD arete or if you fancy a longer day get the gondola up Aonach Mor, walk up to that summit then along to CMD (steep descent and ascent) and then along the arete to Ben Nevis. Descending: get to the halfway lochan then cut back to the right and follow a track to the CIC hut before following The North Face path back down to the valley. The car park used by climbers (The North Face CP) is about 2Km from the gondola car park (if you've done either the blue or red routes at Nevis Range you'll have passed close to it.

As to conditions: it's a big hill close to the west coast - you can have just about any weather on any day.

Avoid early September. Only time I've been and came back with my now wife.....

@morecashthandash

Summit find?

How are you with mild scrambling?

Only done very little so would avoid that route until I have more experience - but thanks for the info, an alternative route does sound more appealing.

Thanks all for the info, appreciated.

The modern classic way up the Ben! 🙂 First ascent pics of Trajan's Column.
[img] [url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/679/31007547304_a473352310_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/679/31007547304_a473352310_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Pf2Mwy ]DSCN2410[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/16702196@N03/ ]rick.campbell[/url], on Flickr [/img]
[img] [url= https://c8.staticflickr.com/1/430/31731566231_242ca98a0f_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://c8.staticflickr.com/1/430/31731566231_242ca98a0f_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Qm1z8v ]DSCN2419[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/16702196@N03/ ]rick.campbell[/url], on Flickr [/img]

We started to go up one gorgeous day in august. Got half way until one of the kids had a sulk on. The one I'd have expected to run up. So we turned back 😡
It was busy but certainly not annoyingly so.

matt_outandabout - Member
@morecashthandash

Summit find?

Summit special!

Love this film (he has some beautiful work in Snowdonia too). Marvel at the ability, no way I could contemplate this. Have the Ben to do to complete the highest peaks in England Wales and Scotland